Corruption

Abstract

Chapter 13 examines the problem of corruption in Classical Athens. There are numerous references to corruption in Demosthenes, Attic oratory, and Greek literature. In an Athenian context, corruption typically involved the bribery of prominent officials. A central issue is ‘katapolitical’ bribery, or bribery at the expense of public interests or with intention to damage institutions or the community. The article considers the institutional and legal regulations adopted by Athens to combat bribery as well as the range of penalties and procedures against offenders, including prosecution. It also discusses the case of Aeschines, who was prosecuted by Demosthenes in his speech On the False Embassy (Dem. 19; Aeschin. 2) for mismanagement on the second embassy (parapresbeia) in support of the Peace of Philocrates in 346.